Gary
if you could explain
1. why you are going to naniwa after the coticule?
what is the reason?
Sharpness? smoothness? or anything else?
2. Why again after naniwa you are returning to Coticule?
This is just doesn't make a sense to me?

if coticule is not fine enough i could understand to go to Naniwa after use of coticule to get sharper edge?
Then question comes up why do you return to coticule again? In case it is not fine enough stone?
Your Edge will get dulled again?
Lets say it is fine stone which will put the smooth edge to the blade.
In this case why you are going to 12 k or 10k Naniwa? NO reason for it?
Just confusing or i miss your point.

Quote Originally Posted by gary haywood View Post
I'm a big fan of coticule edges, as most of you guys no. i still like using paste and the odd differant hone. i will work and work on my coticule to get there. Some times latley i have thought the same as ryan . time and laps . i have a 10k naniwa . Now lets say i hone a razor on coticule and i'm not quite where i want to be colse but not close enough, to my standard. i do another 50 laps on coticule and there is not enough improvemant, then anothe 100 laps for example. still the same . 10 to 20 laps on 10k or 12k naniwa will get me there. then 30 on coticule will give me coti edge . So my answer to your post is yes the 10 or 12k naniwa will do the job very well as in between or last hone in my experiance and save time. a good progression would be coti dilucot , then finish on 10 or 12k naniwa folowed by paste or coti or just as it is at the final hone . Te reason i posted to this is i have been doing just that and it does work .

gary